Beyond the Box

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  CAVE SPRING

  Cave Spring Vineyard, a pioneer in the wine industry, has spent over four decades honing its reputation for creating wines that truly capture the essence of their vineyards. With a commitment to sustainability and strict industry standards, Cave Spring Vineyard has distinguished itself as a producer of high-quality wines. Led by Len Pennachetti, the co-founder of Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA), Cave Spring has played a crucial role in establishing Niagara Peninsula as a recognized wine region.

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  AUGUSTA

  When Tony Kooyumjian founded Augusta Winery in 1988, he had a vision to revitalize the region that gives name to the winery, and the broader Missouri wine industry, to the glories it once exhibited in the 19th century. Always remembering Missouri’s indelible mark on the wine history of the United States, Kooyumjian set out to demonstrate the power of Augusta’s terroir. Augusta continues to demonstrate the tremendous quality potential of hybrid grape varieties.

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  MERAYO

  With an unwavering commitment to winemaking, the Merayo family proudly holds deep-rooted connections in the world of wine. They served as proprietors of Bodegas Merayo, one of the region's most distinguished wineries until 1989. In response to the changing times of the late 1990s, the family made a resolute decision to reclaim their roots. In 2010, Pedro Merayo founded Bodegas y Viñedos Merayos and resumed winemaking on their ancestral estate, marking the culmination of two decades dedicated to the recovery and maintenance of his vineyards.

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  DOMAINE POIRON-DABIN

  With nearly two centuries of winegrowing under their belt, the Poiron-Dabin family’s roots in the Loire Valley run deep. The family’s history as vignerons is documented as early as 1858, though it remains likely that their experience in the area extends back further. The modern winery traces its origins to the marriage of Jean Poiron to Thérèse Dabin in 1962. Jean and Thérèse each retired around the turn of the millennium, passing the baton to their two sons, who continue to steward the estate today.

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  MAROF

  Among the most celebrated wineries in Eastern Slovenia, Marof is also perhaps the most ambitious in the Prekmurje region and its Goričko subzone. The winery is a collaboration between founder Stanko Polanič, who dreamed of demonstrating the tremendous potential of this long overlooked region, and Uroš Valcl, who grew up in his mother’s vineyard and joined Marof in 2009 for its third vintage. Valcl and Polanič steward their land with a gentle hand, seeking minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar, where they focus on both native Slovenian and international grape varieties.